Logistics Cost Optimization of Road Freight Shipments in a Consumer Goods Company

In the industry of the case company, transportation and warehousing costs account for more than 10% of the total cost which is more than on average. A Finnish company has an understanding that by sending larger shipments in parcels, they could save tens of thousands of euros annually in freight costs in Finland’s domestic shipments. To achieve these savings and optimize total logistics cost, company’s interest is to find out which is the cost efficient way of shipping road shipments of certain volumes; in parcel boxes or on pallets, and what should be the split volume determining the shipment type. Distribution center (DC) costs affect this decision and therefore they need to be also evaluated to determine the total logistics cost savings. Main results were achieved by executing activity-based costing-calculations including DC and road freight costs to determine the ideal split volume with which the total logistics cost is optimal. Calculations were done for Finland’s DC, separately for two main road freight destinations, Finland and Sweden, which cover 50% of road shipment spend. Data for calculations was collected both manually and automatically from various internal and external sources, such as the company ERP system and logistics service providers’ (LSP) reporting. DC processes were studied in practice and compared to model processes. Currently used freight rates were compared to existing pricing models and freight service tendering process was evaluated by participating in the process and comparing it to the models based on literature. The results show that the potential savings are not as significant as the company hoped for, mainly because of packing work increasing DC labor cost. Annual savings by setting ideal split volume per country would account for 0,4 % of the warehousing and transportation costs of shipments in scope of this thesis. Split volume should be set separately for each route, mainly because the pricing model for road freight is different in each country. For some routes bigger parcels should be sent but for some routes pallets should be used more. Next step is to do these calculations for remaining routes to determine total savings potential. Other findings show that the processes in the DC are designed well and the company could achieve savings by executing tenders more efficiently. Company should also pay more attention to parcel pricing and packing the shipments accordingly.

Helsinki hub – new traffic flows and business networks

This thesis is the Logistics Development Forum's assignment and the work dealing with the development of the Port of Helsinki as part of Helsinki hub. The Forum aims to develop logistics efficiency through public-private co-operation and development of the port is clearly dependent on both factors. Freight volumes in the Port of Helsinki are the biggest single factor in hub and, therefore, the role of the port of the entire hub development is strong. The aim is to look at how the port will develop as a result of changes in the foreign trade of Finland and the Northern European logistics trends in 25 years time period. Work includes the current state analysis and scenario work. The analyses are intended to find out, which trends are the most important in the port volume development. The change and effect of trends is examined through scenarios based on current state. Based on the work, the structure of Finnish export industry and international demand are in the key role in the port volume development. There is significant difference between demands of Finnish exporting products in different export markets and the development between the markets has different impacts on the port volumes by mass and cargo type. On the other hand, the Finnish economy is stuck in a prolonged recession and competition between ports has become a significant factor in the individual port's volume development. Ecological valuesand regulations have changed the competitive landscape and maritime transport emissions reductions has become an important competitive factor for short routes in the Baltic Sea, such as in the link between Helsinki and Tallinn.

Boulevard to broken dreams, Part 1: the Polonoroeste road project in the Brazilian Amazon, and the World Bank's environmental and indigenous peoples' norms

ABSTRACT Before the mid 1980s the World Bank conceived "nature" as something to be "conquered" and "environment" as a source of resources for "development". By the late 1980s the Bank incorporated norms of environmental sustainability and indigenous peoples' protection into its mandate, and other development-oriented IOs followed. This two-part paper describes how a fight over the Polonoroeste road project in the Brazilian Amazon - inside the Bank, between the Bank and NGOs supported by the US Congress, and between the Bank and the government of Brazil -helped to generate the far-reaching change of policy norms. The first part describes how the project was designed as an innovation in sustainable development in rainforests; and how it provoked a firestorm inside the Bank as it moved towards project approval.

Leveiden keskimerkintöjen liikenneturvallisuusvaikutusten arviointi

Tämän raportin tavoitteena oli käsitellä leveiden keskimerkintöjen liikenneturvallisuusvaikutuksia, toteuttaa mielipidekysely kantatie 54 kokeiluosuuden vaikutusalueella sekä esitellä aiemmin tehdyt tutkimukset ja leveiden keskimerkintöjen taustaa. Raportin on laatinut Eino Lahtinen Hämeen ammattikorkeakoulusta opinnäytetyönään. Työn taustateoriaksi syvennyttiin leveiden keskimerkintöjen historiaan Suomessa ja ulkomailla sekä Suomessa tehtyihin tutkimuksiin aiheesta. Suomessa ja ulkomailla on havaittu jo vuosikymmenten ajan korkealuokkaisten teiden liikenneturvallisuuden heikentyneen liikenteen lisääntyessä. Kohtaamis- ja ohitusonnettomuuksien jäljet ovat usein raakaa katseltavaa ja luettavaa. Huoli kohtaamis- ja ohitusonnettomuuksien määristä ja niiden vakavuuksista painostaa etsimään ratkaisuja tämän kaltaisten onnettomuuksien vähentämiseksi. Tästä syystä on 1980-luvulta lähtien aktiivisesti etsitty liikenneturvallisuutta parantavia kustannustehokkaita ratkaisuja. Visuaalisia vaikutuksia arvioidessa havaittiin jo varhain kaistan leveyden visuaalisen kaventamisen johtavan ajonopeuksien laskuun, joka vähentää onnettomuuksia ja niiden vakavuuksia. Yhdeksi ratkaisuksi esitettiin leveää keskimerkintää, josta on ollut erilaisia kokeiluja ulkomailla 1996 ja Suomessa 2009 lähtien. Työn tuloksena voidaan esittää, että leveiden keskimerkintöjen vaikutukset ajokäyttäytymiseen ovat melko vähäiset, sillä lähes puolet kyselyyn vastanneista ei havainnut muutosta omassa tai muiden ajokäyttäytymisessä. Työn perusteella arvioidaan, että leveät keskimerkinnät vähensivät henkilövahinkoon johtaneita ohitus-, kohtaamis- ja vasemmalle suistumisonnettomuuksia 17 – 21 %. Tutkimuksen perusteella voidaan todeta, että leveitä keskimerkintöjä käytettäessä on varmistuttava riittävästä piennarleveydestä (vähintään 1 m). Leveää keskimerkintää voidaan käyttää alueilla, jossa tien päällysteen leveys on vähintään 10 m, KVL vähintään 1500 ajon/vrk ja tiejakson pituus vähintään 10 km. Leveän keskialueen tulisi olla metrin levyinen.

Standardized electrical tests for electrical equipment in road vehicles Case: Visedo Oy PowerMASTER M-frame

Electrical road vehicles were common at the begin of the 20th century but internal combustion engines took a victory from electrical motors in road vehicles. The acknowledgement of the environment, and the price and the availability of the crude oil are reasons for the comeback of the electrical vehicles. Advancement in industrial technology and political atmosphere in EU as the directive 20--20--20, which consists of reducing fossil emission, increasing renewable energy and increasing the energy efficiency, have made the electrification popular again. In this thesis tests based on standard ISO 16750--2 electrical loads for electrical equipment in road vehicles are made for Visedo Oy's PowerMASTER M-frame power electronics device. This device is designed for mainly drive trains in mobile work machines and marine vessels but can be used in other application in its power range which also includes road vehicles. The functionality of the device is tested with preliminary tests which act as a framework for the tests based on standards.

The road to peace, commerce, wealth, and happiness /

Attributed to John Lowell. Cf. NUC pre-1956 imprints.

The road to peace, commerce, wealth, and happiness

Attributed to John Lowell. Cf. NUC pre-1956 imprints. Caption title. Shaw and Shoemaker

Service Learning in Higher Education: A Road Map

As institutions of higher education struggle to stay relevant, competitive, accessible, and flexible, they are scrambling to attend to a shift in focus for new students. This shift involves experiential learning. The purpose of this major research paper was to examine the existing structures, to seek gaps in the experiential learning programs, and to devise a framework to move forward. The specific focus was on experiential learning at Brock University in the Faculty of Applied Health Sciences. The methodology was underscored with cognitive constructivism and appreciative theory. Data collection involved content analysis steps established by Krippendorff (2004) and Weber (1985). Data analysis involved the four dimensions of reflection designed by LaBoskey, including the purpose, context, content, and procedures. The results developed understandings on the state of formal processes and pathways within service learning. A tool kit was generated that defines service learning and offers an overview of the types of service learning typically employed. The tool kit acts as a reference guide for those interested in implementing experiential learning courses. Importantly, the results also provided 10 key points in experiential learning courses by Emily Allan. A flow chart illustrates the connections among each of the 10 points, and then they are described in full to establish a strategy for the way forward in experiential learning.

Clippings - Road Allowances, Lock 2 Bridge, Toronto Railway Company, St. Davids' History

Clipping regarding the original road allowance which was part of Mr. Woodruff’s property, n.d. Clipping regarding the Lock 2 Bridge. This is a letter to the editor of the Journal from Calvin Phelps of Lockport, Nov. 13, 1889. Clipping entitled “Settled beyond a Dispute”: a letter to the Editor of the Star from J. G. Currie regarding the road allowance in the 5th Concession of Grantham, Nov. 16, 1889. Clipping entitled “That Old Road Allowance” which is a rebuttal to Mr. Currie’s letter, [1889] 2 newspaper clippings regarding: “Reg. vs. Toronto Railway Company”. These 2 articles are glued to a piece of paper. Beneath the newspaper articles is the name M. Chambers, Nov. 18, 1898. Notes regarding the clippings are enclosed with the articles. These notes and written on the back of “Pattison, Collier and Shaw Barristers, Solicitors, Etc.” stationary (notes are 2 pages, handwritten), Nov. 18, 1898. Clipping entitled “History on the Site: St. Davids’ Students Learn Lessons where Events Occurred” (2 copies), n.d.